Reducing options of ammonia volatilization and improving nitrogen use efficiency via organic and inorganic amendments in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the effect of organic and inorganic supplements on the reduction of ammonia (NH₃) volatilization, improvement in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and wheat yield.

Methods: A field experiment was conducted following a randomized block design with 10 treatments i.e., T₁-without nitrogen (control), T₂-recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), T₃-(N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide) (NBPT @ 0.5% w/w of RDN), T₄-hydroquinone (HQ @ 0.3% w/w of RDN), T₅-calcium carbide (CaC₂ @ 1% w/w of RDN), T₆-vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM @ 10 kg ha^-1), T₇-(azotobacter @ 50 g kg^-1 seeds), T₈-(garlic powder @ 0.8% w/w of RDN), T₉-(linseed oil @ 0.06% w/w of RDN), T₁₀-(pongamia oil @ 0.06% w/w of RDN).

Results: The highest NH₃ volatilization losses were observed in T₂ at about 20.4 kg ha^-1 per season. Significant reduction in NH₃ volatilization losses were observed in T₃ by 40%_, T₄ by 27%, and T₈ by 17% when compared to the control treatment. Soil urease activity was found to be decreased in plots receiving amendments, T₃, T₄, and T₅. The highest grain yield was observed in the T₇ treated plot with 5.09 t ha^-1, and straw yield of 9.44 t ha^-1 in T₄.

Conclusion: The shifting towards organic amendments is a feasible option to reduce NH₃ volatilization from wheat cultivation and improves NUE.

Keywords: Azotobacter; Calcium carbide; Denitrification; Garlic powder; Hydroquinone; Linseed oil; N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide; Nitrous oxide; Pongamia oil; Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza.